Texans Dedicate First Tejano Monument At Capitol

Members of the oldest families in Texas unveiled the first monument on the Capitol grounds honoring the contributions of Tejanos.

Several thousand people, including many top officials, attended the ceremony on the south lawn of the statehouse to honor the role Tejanos played in establishing and developing Texas. Tejanos trace their heritage to the Spanish-speaking settlers who first brought European and cowboy culture to the state.

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst both praised Tejanos for their past and continuing contributions to Texas.

At 525 square feet, the monument is among the largest on the Capitol grounds. Mounted on a 250-ton slab of pink granite, bronze statues depict a Spanish explorer, a vaquero on his mustang, a longhorn bull and cow and a family of settlers.

AP

Texas gas prices up 6 cents for 2nd straight week

Gasoline prices across Texas have risen 6 cents for the second consecutive week.

AAA Texas reported Thursday that the average retail price per gallon has reached $3.82.

The association's weekly survey found the national retail price for gasoline jumped 4 cents to $3.92 per gallon.

AAA says the Dallas-Fort Worth area has the state's most expensive gasoline at $3.90 per gallon. Amarillo has the least expensive at $3.64.

The travel agency says the average 14-gallon fill-up is up to about $53.48.

According to AAA, two key issues are keeping oil prices high: tensions with Iran and increased global demand for crude oil.

AP

UT newspaper board apologizes over Martin cartoon

The editorial board of the University of Texas student newspaper has apologized for a racially charged cartoon about media coverage of the killing of a Florida teen.

The Daily Texan's five-member editorial board apologized Wednesday night, a day after publishing the cartoon about the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The unarmed black youth was shot last month by a white neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Fla. The volunteer claimed self-defense.

The Daily Texan cartoon mentioned the race of both individuals and criticized the media's coverage of the death, describing it as "yellow journalism." The cartoon portrayed a mother reading to a child about the killing.

The student cartoonist has also apologized and no longer works for The Daily Texan.

AP

Governors urge consumers to reconsider pink slime

The main producer of "pink slime" will have a hard time persuading consumers and grocery stores to accept the product, even if it the processed beef trimmings are as safe as the industry insists.

Three governors and two lieutenant governors plan to tour Beef Products Inc.'s plant in South Sioux City, Neb., Thursday afternoon to support the company and the several thousand jobs it creates in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

Critics call the product an unappetizing example of industrialized food production and dub it "pink slime." But the product, which has been used for years, meets federal food safety standards.

Larry Smith, with the Institute for Crisis Management, says he's not sure the company will be able to overcome the public stigma at this point.

AP

Ex-Fort Worth bank manager stole from customers

A former North Texas bank manager accused of stealing at least $2 million from customers has pleaded guilty.

Authorities say Pamela Cobb pleaded guilty Wednesday to bank fraud and faces up to 30 years in prison. A federal judge in Fort Worth will sentence her in September.

The former Bank of America branch manager could also be ordered to pay a $1 million fine and make restitution.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Cobb used the money for vacations, clothing, jewelry and land. She must forfeit property in Granbury, a car, a camping trailer, plus a diamond ring and bracelet.

Prosecutors say Cobb since 2002 illegally withdrew cash from accounts. Some customers reported the missing funds to her, then Cobb would steal from other accounts to hide the original theft.